Hamas confirms killing of Yahya Sinwar, insists on negotiation terms

Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya confirmed on Friday the death of the movement's political bureau chief Yahya Sinwar.

In a televised speech, al-Hayya said that 'the killing of Sinwar will increase Hamas's strength.' 'We insist on the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the release of Palestinian prisoners.'

'The Israeli hostages in Gaza will not return until the aggression on Gaza stops and the Israeli army withdraws.'

'We will continue our path until the establishment of the Palestinian state.'

Earlier on Thursday, Israeli forces announced that they had killed Sinwar in an operation in the southern Gaza Strip on Wednesday.